Local rising stars safely progress in SA Spring Open

Several South African rising tennis stars safely progressed into the second round of the SA Spring Open at Ellis Park Tennis Courts in Johannesburg on September 22.

There were mixed fortunes for the Kruger sisters, Zoe and Isabella, as Zoe won her match and Isabella bowed out at the first hurdle. Zoe defeated Lina Glushko of Israel 6–4, 6–2 to book her spot in the second round and next faces a tough challenge in French second seed Tessah Andrianjafitrimo. Isabella went down to last week’s Jozi Open finalist Valeria Bhunu of Zimbabwe 6–1, 6–3.

In the men’s event, Vaughn Hunter knocked out compatriot Pierre Malan in straight sets 6–2, 6–1 to move into the second round where he faces Japanese fifth-seed Rio Noguchi.
Defending champion Benjamin Lock had no issues advancing into the second round by dispatching Sahar Simon of Israel 6–4, 6–3. The Zimbabwean next faces Canadian Kelsey Stevenson.

In the wheelchair tennis event, rising stars Mariska Venter, Nokwanda Hlongwane, Brilliant Mabaso and Mpho Mhlongo have all safely progressed into the second round.
Venter, the third seed, dismantled compatriot Nonkanyiso Nyosi 6–0, 6–0 and Hlongwane followed suit with a 6–0, 6–0 victory over Dipuo Molefe. Mabaso battled past Nicolaas Otto 6–4, 2–6, 6–4 to advance, while Mhlongo eased past Siyabulela Mahlikihla to set up a clash with top seed Martin de la Puente of Spain.

Results Singles Second Round
Men: Benjamin Lok (ZIM) bt Sahar Simon (ISR) 6-4, 6-3. Michail Pervolarakis (GRE) bt Connor van Schalwyk (NAM) 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. Jeremy Beale (AUS) bt Devin Badenhorst (RSA) 6-3, 6-4. Alastair Gray (GBR) bt Julian Cash (GBR) 6-3, 6-1. Markos Kalovelonis (GRE) bt 7-Makoto Ochi (JPN) 6-4, 6-4. Daniel Cukierman (ISR) bt Neil Oberleitner (AUT) 6-2, 6-3. Vaughn Hunter (RSA) bt Pierre Malan (RSA) 6-2, 6-1. Kyle Seelig (USA) bt Peter Goldsteiner (AUT) 6-0, 2-6, 6-2. Menelaos Efstathiou (CYP) bt Leonld Sheyngezikhi (BUL) 6-1, 6-1.

Women:
Richel Hogenkamp (NED) bt Polina Kudermetova (RUS) 6-4, 6-2. Elizabeth Mandlik (USA) bt Mia Fruchtman (ISR) 6-3, 6-3. Valeria Bhunu (ZIM) bt Isabella Kruger (RSA) 6-1, 6-3. Zoe Kruger (RSA) bt Lina Glushko (ISR) 6-4, 6-2. Matiltda Mutavdzic (GBR) bt Heike Janse van Vuuren (RSA) 6-0, 6-1. Shiho Akita (JPN) bt Tina Smith (AUS) 6-1, 6-1. Eva Vedder (NED) bt Stephanie Visscher (NED) 6-0, 6-1. Eva Lys (GER) bt Julita Saner (SWE) 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.

Wheelchair Tennis First Round
Men: 
Mpho Mhlongo (RSA) bt Siyabulela Mahlikihla (RSA) 6-3, 6-0. Joseph Manzini (RSA) bt Benito Vuma (RSA) 6-3, 7-5. Celimpilo Kunene (RSA) bt Sello Thobejane (RSA) 6-1, 7-5. Mgambi Aviwe (RSA) bt Samkelo Molopo (RSA) 6-4, 6-2. Brilliant Mabaso (RSA) bt Nicolaas Otto (RSA) 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. Khanya Xundu (RSA) bt Siyabonga Ndumo (RSA) 6-4, 2-6, 6-1. Mayenzeke Gwija (RSA) bt Luwie Mabelane (RSA) 6-2, 6-2.

Women
Mabel Mankgele (RSA) bt Asive Gilifile (RSA) 7-6(4), 6-0. 3-Mariska Venter (RSA) bt Nonkanyiso Nyosi (RSA) 6-0, 6-0. Nosipho Hlatswayo (RSA) bt Mirgal Masiya (RSA) 6-1, 6-1. Emihle Mbotho (RSA) bt Itumeleng Mathabathe (RSA) 6-2, 6-2. Jiske Griffieon (NED) bt Karabo Sesing (RSA) 6-0, 6-0. Nokwanda Hlongwane (RSA) bt Dipuo Molefe (RSA) 6-0, 6-0. Ntsuku Ndlovu (RSA) bt Martha Tsum (RSA) 6-3, 7-5. Ishmael Tshipuke (RSA) bt Alfred Gaje (RSA) 6-1, 6-1.